Sixline Wrasse Suddenly Attacking Algae Blenny!

[DanMan092]

Hi all, I've had my sixline for a month or two now. I got him from my friend when he got a new tank. All these months the wrasses and algae blenny have lived together, shown no aggression, and even brushed up against eachother without batting an eye. I looked over at my tank today. The Blenny's body had taken on a faint red hue. His fins were ripped. The wrasse was pestering him and driving him up and down the side of the tank and biting and latching onto him. He coulnt have just been hungry because i had fed them a few hours prior to this and he ate so much his stomach was distended, as usual. So i immediately intervened and scared the wrasse off. Within 5 seconds the wrasse came back out and attacked the blenny again. The Blenny I have had for a few months, longer than the wrasse, the wrasse is the newest fish in there. So i took my acryllic box i normally use to propagate coral and put the blenny in there. He had very labored breathing and trouble swimming. So its been a few hours and the blenny has calmed down, though still not moving much. I released him back into the tank, and he swam off with enough energy and posture so he cant have been seriously injured. I dont know if the wrasse will attack again, if he does he'll probably kill the blenny as i will be at school and the blenny was not defending itself. Do wrasses usually have spontaneous aggression or what? they went from peaceful to enemies in one day, please help! thank you

 

[SkiFletch]

Thats odd, 6-lines usually dont "loose it" like that. How big/old is the wrasse? Sometimes big older 60-lines can turn into bullies. Is it a standard 50g breeder tank? (36x18x18")

 

[DanMan092]

Yes, it is the standard breeding tank. I dont know how old the wrasse is as i got it from my friend, but i estimate it at least 4 months. It's about 2 inches from head to tail, while the blenny is/was (not sure if its actually dead, havent seen it yet) about 2.5 inches.

Could water quality have anything to do with it? If it does, i'll test my water and post stats. You see, i dont test it very often, or keep up a good schedule of water changes.

UPDATE! I have found my blenny, he is alive! But the wrasse attacks him every time he sees him. The b;enny is smart however, and retreats into the system of tunnels in the base rock. What should i do?!

 

[SkiFletch]

Dunno man, if the fish is being that aggressive, chances are it may stay that way in which case your options are re-homing the blenny or the wrasse

 

[DanMan092]

My friend says he gave it to me after owning it for 8 months, so I guess it's about 10 months by now. Would a larger fish put it in it's place or something? Because I am planning on getting a flame angel soon

 

[steelhealr]

This is an easy question....go check your marine compatibility charts, blenny vs wrasse. SH

 

[DanMan092]

Charts say they are compatible. I think the Blenny is dead, I haven't seen him for the past two days. The Wrasse is alive though. Heh...

 

[DanMan092]

No, the Blenny is still alive, but the wrasse attempts to attack him when he sees him. THe belnny is smart though and stays in safe places. Will this continue to go on until they die? The wrasses doesn't attack the smaller watchman goby...Will a flame angel be safe with this aggresive wrasse?

I'm proposing a theory...I had a Coral Beauty that recently died. Could the wrasses feel he's the top dog now that the coral beauty is gone?

 

[Navarre]

Im afraid that 6 line wrasses can turn into little nightmares once they establish themselves and grow a little. There is no competition with the blenny on food sources as they both like entirely different things. Size may be an issue.. the they are of comparable size then the wrasse may well want to display its dominance.
Im sad to say that this is unliekly to stop and all the while your blenny is slowly starving to death. If you can remove one of these fish it may well be the difference in haveing both alive or one one withthe remainder dieing a slow and horrible death due to starvation.

 

[steelhealr]

Agree with Navarre....there ARE compatibility issues with sixlines and blennies. Sixlines CAN be territorial with ANY fish. Here is a pic of my sixline checking out my Yashia. Be careful and read thoroughly before making additions to one's tank. SH

 

[DanMan092]

Well well, the Wrasse actually DID in fact stop. It's very bizarre. Now he goes within an inch of the blenny and doesn't attack. I'm so confused!

 

[Mr.September15]

Agree with Navarre....there ARE compatibility issues with sixlines and blennies. Sixlines CAN be territorial with ANY fish. Here is a pic of my sixline checking out my Yashia. Be careful and read thoroughly before making additions to one's tank. SH

Sun Coral You have to update your journal if you have one Steel =) I would love to see where it stands today

 

[Mr Miagi]

Perhaps it was a territory thing, or just asserting dominance. I agree, sixlines can get a bit nasty as they age, but its hit and miss from what ive read. Some fish will harass all new comers, but once they settle, and establish who lives where, things calm down. Something might have sparked your sixline, like an invasion of space, or just felt he needed to establish dominance over the blenny. Id monitor any more aggression, and if it continues, re home the sixline.

I would love to see where it stands today

In his apartment?

 

[rhysiboy]

there seems to be many more reports of 6 line wrasse agressivenes over the past few weeks. surely hope that your blenny does well

 

[DanMan092]

I got another cleaner shrimp today, and though the wrasse did "peck" at him once he has not attacked him yet.